The Portland daily press., 1887-06-18
SUGGESTIONS TO DECORATORS
Arched Ceilings and Domes-Rich
Old Wall Tapestries.
baltimore Americana

Modern taste is fast disappearing from the
pretty and simple in architectural design,
and is approaching with rapid strides tow
ard the lofty and impressive. A noticeable
evidence Of this is the ceilings Of the apart
ments in many new houses, and the altera-
lions Of those owned by persons Of expen-
sive tastes. Until lately only the level fiat
ceilings were known in private dwellings;
these were Ornamented at times deliberately
and artistically; but in point Of beauty and
effectiveness they could not compare with
the newer arched or round ceilings being
built in the parlors, dining and ball rooms Of
some Of our American Cresuses. These
dome-shaped ceilings admit of much greater
scope in decoration than any others, for
theme can be carried out uninterrupted by
angular corners. which are horribly agrees
siye at times. The light in these apartments
is admitted from the center, where an artis-
tic sky-llght forms convergent point for
the mural decorations. Ceilings of this kind
revive the ancient custom Of preserving So
cial or historical incidents by illustrations,
executed by skilled artists, in the apart
ments Of wealthy and cultured people.
Arched rooms have stateliness which Is
peculiarly impressive. The ball room, OF all
others, should be Of this design, as the mu-
sic is so much more effective when echoing
through the lofty arches. Gold, on back
ground OF white or blue, Is favorite combt-
nation in the decorations Of round ceilings.
Another manner Of treatment, other than
frescoing, Is. however, more striking. ms
is to cover the dome with plaster relieves
and imbed in every possible spot tiny cir
cular mirror. After the plaster has har-
dened paint the figures according to artistic
principles. When the light strikes this cell
ing il will glisten and sparkle, giving won
ment. All Of the doorways should be arched
in harmony with the shape OF the room.
These should have transomS OF delicate fret
work bordered with stained glass. Por-
there's Of rich material should drape the open
| spaces.
The rich old wall tapestries, which charac-
terized the homes Of the sixteenth century,
| are again the thing for the walls OF the din
| ing room and hall. Those OF SOFT mellow
| tones are most artistic. These tapestries
are sold by the yard, the deep border or "a
| do coming separately. A room whose walls
are covered with well-selected material OF
this kind is more beautiful than paperins
| could make 1t.
The day of marble mantels has long since
passed to those Of a strictly artistic taste.
| and those of carved wood have replaced
/ them. Some Of the latter are unique in de-
sign and Of exquisite workmanship. one
| lately seen in an aesthetic home was Of old
4 X.
| in the Intel, which was supported by tall,
| boldly carved oaken figures. The open fire.
| place beneath the mantel was lined with
1.-THE Macbeth" panels, which gave pecu-
| liar weirdness to the room as the flames
| from the burning logs would suddenly fash
/ up and bring into bold relief the witch s
| cauldron, and above 1t the faces Of the three
| crones. Those persons who cannot afford
/ carved mantel, yet whose cultivated tastes
| rebel against the inartistic marble ones, may
| convert their painted wood ones into very
/ good limitations Of the carved hardwoods by
| covering the space below the shelf with
| piece of lincrusta walton in small designs,
| and also covering the edge of the shelf and the
/ straight edges with narrow beading of the
| same. This presents at little distance ex-
/ actly the appearance of carving, and to the
| inexperienced eye will bear even close in
| spection; and, while imitation Of the real Is
never true art, beautiful and satisfactory
result may be reached by the use OF this
clever substitute.
Useful stands for flower boxes may be
made with no expense by crossing three
broom handles and mailing butter tub lid
on the top of them then paint the table thus
formed with green paint then take the but
ter tub, paint it bright red and I'LL 1t with
growing plants and place it upon the impro-
vised stand. The result will be graceful and
pretty, and several Of these would add beau
ty 10 any veranda in the country.
A simple though pleasing lawn decoration
is cypress pole. This is made by planting
a pole Of whatever height you choose and
then SOW cypress seed in a circle around it, q
distance of two feet from the pole. From the
top Of the pole suspend pieces Of cord, which